Note: This is the revised chapter 4.
And for you who are desperate for the story to continue, chapter 5 has been written!
Please send comments and feedback. (And corrections via private message, please) I love to hear from you. Your enthusiasm keeps me going!
The disclaimer: I do not own or claim to own anything related to the Star Trek universe. I just like to play with it.
The Star Trek: TNG episode titled "The Child" was originally written by Jaron Summers, Jon Povill and Maurice Hurley, and directed by Rob Bowman.
(...continued)
Deanna's eyes scanned the document, bypassing all the figures and technicalities until they reached the conclusions. She remained fixed on the words as she sat down in her chair.
Genetic composition: Betazoid 50%; Human 50%
Sex: Male
Observations: The genetic composition of the fetus is an exact copy of the genetic composition of Deanna Troi in all aspects, except for one outstanding chromosomal mutation of the X chromosome, into a Y chromosome.
Just like Deanna Troi's own genetic makeup, the fetus' genetic material derives from the parents of Deanna Troi: Ian A. Troi and Lwaxana Troi
Conclusions: The fetus is a male clone of its mother, Deanna Troi.
Troi closed her eyes for a moment and inhaled deeply. Her reaction to the results surprised her, and the tightness she felt in her chest made it difficult to maintain her composure.
The door chime startled her out of her meditation. Riker was back, and the minutes she had spent regaining her calm were all for nothing.
"Come in," the counselor's voice was almost a whisper.
The doors slid open, and the first officer stepped inside. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dimly lit room, and as they did, Troi's form became clearer, and the expression on her face told him everything he needed to know.
The Child
Chapter 4
The android loaded the previous night's shift report onto the presentation screen using the back-lit commands on the conference table's black surface.
"At exactly zero hours, eleven minutes, nineteen seconds, ship's sensors reported a random energy transference located aft; out board of the port nacelle," he informed the crew.
LaForge straightened up in his chair where he had been sitting silently, and slowly began nodding in agreement with Data's information.
Data continued, "I immediately reported it to Engineering".
"That's right," the chief engineer stepped in. "I ran a quick diagnostic, and it came back clean. But I didn't know exactly what I was supposed to be looking for, so I could have easily missed it." LaForge leaned forward in his chair. "I can check the ship's proximity sensor logs, but simple energy transference is usually overlooked by the computer. It's a harmless, minor electric discharge provoked by the exchange of energy from one system to another. It's how the ship's energy efficiency cycle is designed. Only the fact that it had no reason for being, triggered the signal. But if we can identify it, at least we could try to figure out if it came from outside the ship."
The captain listened attentively to every detail spoken by his two officers, but his questions were not being answered. "How will you be able to identify it? Do you have any evidence that will help you discover its composition or anything to trace its origin?" he asked with a trace of impatience.
"Given the statistically high probability that there is a relationship between the energy fluctuation, and Counselor Troi's pregnancy, I suggest searching for evidence in the fetus itself. It may contain evidence that could prove, or disprove, the relationship between the two occurrences."
The chief of security had been quietly absorbing the information expecting a breakthrough or some concrete data, but he was getting more impatient by the second. "So, nothing can be done until it is born?" Annoyed, he turned to the captain, "Sir, we are going to allow an unknown entity, with unknown intentions to be born inside the Enterprise?"
Picard responded in a stern voice, "We have a guarantee that the child is a genetic copy of Counselor Troi, therefore half Human and half Betazoid. I have no doubt, Mr Worf, in your ability to subdue a small humanoid if circumstances required it." With that, the captain successfully quieted the Klingon for the remainder of the meeting.
The android responded, "I suspect no major discoveries are likely to be made until the infant is born. But we may be able to gather some amount of knowledge with blood samples from Counselor Troi. There are fetal blood cells present in the mother's own blood."
The captain nodded and concluded the meeting, "Very well. All we need, then, is the counselor's approval for the blood samples. Please send your report to Commander Riker, Doctor Crusher and Counselor Troi. Find out as much as you can about this phenomenon, gentlemen. I know you don't have much with which to work, but any advance is appreciated. If there is nothing else, you are dismissed."
The first officer reclined into the counselor's chair as he lifted his eyes from the computer terminal's screen on her desk. Troi had returned the sofa at the other side of the room.
Her expression had told him everything, and the document he had just read only confirmed it.
So now the mystery was now over. It was easier to face the challenge with clear information.
Riker calmly swerved the chair around and stood, then approached the sofa in a few unhurried steps and sat beside Troi. He exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of uncertainty lift off his shoulders.
He then draped his arm around Troi's shoulders and nudged her closer until she sank into his side. He felt her warm hand drift across his chest and heard her echo his sigh.
She slid her arm across his chest as she sank into his embrace. It had been too long since they had last held each other like this. Troi exhaled deeply with relief from the warm, supportive, and intimate embrace.
She had nothing to say. Everything that needed to be said had been already. She sensed the same from Riker as she interpreted his emotions.
After sitting in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the commander's data pad chimed, breaking the calm that had settled between them. He removed it from his pocket, activated the screen and called up the new message.
"What is it?" Troi asked.
"It's the initial report on the energy transference."
She tilted the data pad in Riker's hand to get a better angle, and they both read quietly.
A few of minutes into reading, Riker's comm badge chimed. "Riker here."
Picard's voice came through, "Commander, have you had the opportunity to review the report from the Science department?"
"Yes, Sir. Counselor Troi and I are reading it just now," He replied.
"Good, good...Commander, Counselor," The captain sounded a tiny bit hesitant, "I know that you are off duty, but I would like to discuss with you the details of this investigation. Would it be alright, Counselor, if Doctor Crusher and I meet with you and Commander Riker in your quarters?"
Riker turned to the counselor and nodded, encouraging her to accept the captain's proposal.
"Of course, Captain. We can meet here," the counselor agreed sensing the thoughtfulness in the captain's request to meet in her quarters instead of his office. "Thank you, Sir."
"No need to thank me, Counselor," Picard replied kindly, "We will be there in fifteen minutes. Picard out."
The couple was silent for another moment until the counselor stood up. "I'm going change," she said as she entered her bedroom.
"Okay. Do you want to eat something before they get here?" Offered the commander.
"No, thank you. I don't have much of an appetite right now. But lemongrass tea would be nice," The counselor replied from inside her bedroom, while choosing more appropriate attire from her closet.
The commander took a few steps closer to the counselor's bedroom. "Are you sure? Not even just toast or crackers, or something like that?"
"No, thank you, just tea."
He paused for a moment. "When was the last time you ate?"
There was silence and then the sound of a drawer closing. Footsteps came towards the doorway of the bedroom and Troi stepped into view. She stood there with mismatched clothing and a look of benign exasperation.
"I'm not hungry, thank you." Her words were polite, yet her tone carried a hint of annoyance.
Riker put his hands up in defeat, "Okay, fine," he said as the counselor walked back into her bedroom, "I just thought that this is what partners do." He decided on a white flag strategy.
"What, nag?" Troi called out.
"Help you stay healthy and safe during your pregnancy. It's what the books say."
A short moment later, the counselor stepped back out into the main room. This time there was a curious little smile on her face. "What have you been reading?" She asked.
Riker returned the smile and pulled out his data pad. "Your Pregnancy for the Father-to-Be: Everything Dads Need to Know about Pregnancy, Childbirth and Getting Ready for a New Baby."
He looked up from his data pad to see the counselor looking at him with a hint of a smile.
"You've made me fall in love with you just a little more, did you know that?" Troi informed him as she shortened the distance between them.
"Really? A little reading can do that?" Riker asked with a touch of surprise.
The counselor closed the distance and, on her tip toes, wrapped her arms around his neck. "The right subject, for the right reasons...yes, it can do that."
Riker smiled as he looked down at the counselor. "Good to know." He wrapped his hands across her back and pressed Troi's body against him.
"Thank you for your care and dedication, imzadi. It means the universe to me." the counselor said, nuzzled against his chest, fully aware of how pleasant it was to be in his embrace. Then, their eyes locked in an instant before their lips touched in a deep, lingering kiss.
"And just for that," Troi said when they parted, "I will have some buttered toast with blackberry jam."
"Right away, Counselor." Riker played along, but not before stealing another quick kiss. "I can't get enough of these." He confessed.
"Keep it up, Commander, and you'll be getting a lot more." Troi teased as she headed back into her bedroom to fix her hair.
Riker set himself to the task of replicating the best buttered toast with blackberry jam of his life.
The captain and the doctor arrived promptly, bringing with them a portable emergency medical cart and a carry-on case holding a magnetic levitation chair that could be unfolded to transport a patient in critical condition.
They sat together the living room and discussed some specifics about the investigation into the energy transference and its ties with Troi's baby.
The counselor submitted to the blood sample after they discussed the need to analyze it for evidence of the mysterious energy in the fetal cells. She wasn't entirely convinced that she wanted to cooperate with this branch of the investigation. It felt dehumanizing in a way, but not cooperating didn't feel like a good idea either.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Counselor," said Picard, always mindful at approaching the subject thoughtfully when speaking with her.
As they spoke, Crusher discreetly ran a general scan with her medical tricorder on Troi. She was alerted when the readings returned declining levels of blood sugar and other indications that the counselor's usual levels were dropping.
"Captain, I'm sorry, I have to interrupt," she apologized and turned her attention back to the counselor, "Deanna, are you feeling all right?"
Troi's brow furrowed a little as she turned her attention inward and did a quick self-analysis, "Yes, I feel fine, why?"
"Are you sure? Because I'm reading a slight drop in blood sugar, among other things," The doctor insisted.
The counselor paused once again, her brow furrowed, "I don't feel anything unusual."
Picard and Riker looked from one woman to the other as they spoke.
"All right," the doctor didn't want to pressure the counselor anymore, but she remained suspicious, "just let me know if you start feeling out of sorts. But just as a precaution," she held up a hypospray, "let me give you a small dose of glucagon."
Troi nodded in consented and Crusher injected the hypo spray into the counselor's inner forearm.
The officers continued to review the investigation while Crusher put together some more hyposprays from the kit that sat open on her lap.
About a minute into the conversation Troi noticed a slight trembling begin in her arms and legs. In an instant her heart rate increased, and a cold heat ignited inside her chest. She was overwhelmed by the sensations and gripped the armrest of the couch just as she was hit by a wave of vertigo. She shut her eyes tight, unable to manage the sudden symptoms.
"Beverly..." the counselor called out with an uneasy voice.
The doctor jumped right in. "Dizzy?" She had been expecting this all along. The counselor nodded in response.
"Deanna, what's wrong?" Riker had jumped out of his spot and knelt in front of the counselor, gripping her arms to help keep her steady.
"Counselor?" The captain called out.
"Deanna, you're pale. Doctor, she's really pale, what's wrong with her?" The commander was using every bit of his self-control to keep from panicking.
Troi swallowed hard and whispered, "I need to lie down."
"She's hypoglycemic." Crusher felt the counselor's forehead and cheek. Her skin felt cool to the touch, and she was beginning to perspire. "Will, help her lie down. I need to stabilize her." The doctor instructed.
"Jean Luc, bring the cart over, please." said the doctor.
The captain rushed across the room with the medical emergency cart that Crusher had decided to keep in the counselor's quarters.
The first officer helped Troi lie comfortably on the couch and tucked the soft blanket around her.
"Thank you, Jean Luc," said Crusher as she took the shoes off Troi's feet and assisted Riker in arranging the blanket around her feet. "Deanna," she asked, "when was the last time you ate?" The doctor asked, already setting up hypo sprays on the tray on top of the emergency cart.
"She had tea and a slice of buttered toast before you got here," the commander replied helpfully. "Only because I insisted. I don't know when she ate before that."
The counselor didn't answer as she was too busy trying to keep that slice of toast inside her stomach.
"Dee," Crusher knelt at the counselor's level, "I'm going to give you another shot of glucagon. It should alleviate the symptoms."
The doctor injected another dose of medication into the counselor's inner forearm. "You'll feel better in a little while." she informed the counselor. "Let's give her a minute" she told the captain and the commander.
Riker sat on the edge of the couch and rubbed Troi's back attentively while they waited for the medication to take effect. The doctor and the captain conversed quietly a few meters away, giving Riker and Troi some space. A moment later, the commander noticed that the counselor's breathing had returned to a steady rhythm.
"Feeling better, imzadi?" He whispered.
Troi gestured 'more or less' with one hand. The commander looked at Crusher with a question on his face. The doctor returned to her spot by the counselor and ran her tricorder across her frame.
"I don't see as much improvement as I would like. I need to get you to sickbay," she announced and turned towards the captain to make him useful again "Jean Luc…" but she stopped when she saw him approaching, pushing the maglev chair.
"At your service, Doctor," said the captain with a strained but sincere smile.
Crusher smiled in appreciation.
Without a word, the counselor peeled the blanket off herself and carefully sat up. She placed both feet flat on the floor and steadied herself with a hand on Riker's shoulder. Although she looked as though she was about to pass out, Troi managed to stand up with some effort, and drop into the wheelchair with less grace than she would have liked.
"The room is spinning," she whispered and then she swallowed hard. "I think I'm going to throw up."
Crusher quickly pulled out a smaller, different looking hypo spray and held it to the counselor's nose. "Breathe deep," she instructed.
The counselor did as she was told and felt significant relief almost instantly. After a couple more inhalations, she felt the nausea fade.
"Better?" the doctor asked.
Troi nodded.
"Good. Let's get you to sickbay." Crusher picked up her medkit and took the lead.
Once inside the lift, the counselor slumped into the wheelchair. Riker covered her hand with his and knelt beside her. Crusher was alternating her attention from her patient to her tricorder, looking for changes.
"How are you feeling, Deanna?" the doctor asked.
The counselor closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.
"Sleep," she whispered as her last bit of strength faded. She feared she would pass out soon.
"Deanna?" Riker spoke instinctively. When she didn't answer, he turned to Crusher, "I think she's losing consciousness." His rushed words dripped with worry.
Troi was pale and her eyes were half closed.
"She is," Crusher confirmed. "I suspect that the baby is draining her energy. I need to get her stabilized right now."
The lift stopped outside sickbay and the commander wheeled Troi inside. Crusher pointed to a bio bed that had been prepared for the counselor beforehand. The commander carried the counselor out of the wheelchair trying hard not to jar her too much, and placed her down gently, smoothing her hair away from her face before taking a step back to allow the doctor to attend to his imzadi.
Once he was done briefing his crew gathered in the conference lounge that evening, Picard gave his chief engineer a data pad. It contained the design and specifications for the construction of special containment modules.
The Enterprise had just received a report from Starfleet Command about the deadly Plasma Plague that had broken out in the Rachelis system.
"Mr LaForge, these are the specifications sent to us for the construction of the containment modules that are needed for the transportation of plasma plague specimens," the captain told him, "Please study them with your team." Then the captain addressed the whole crew, "Starfleet has placed the Enterprise on standby in case our aid is needed with the transport of samples or vaccines. If we are given the orders, we will likely be sent to Aucdet IX Federation Research Center to pick up samples of the plasma plague, to then transport the samples in the containment modules to Science Station Tango Sierra in the Rachelis system for the development of a vaccine."
"Sir," La Forge said, "these modules are incredibly intricate, and the materials are complex to say the least. Building these modules may require extra processing power diverted to my computers. I suggest we start building them now, calmly, while we're on standby. That way we won't be rushing construction once we receive the order, since that could increase the odds of us making a mistake."
Picard pondered that for a moment, nodding, "Agreed."
The captain turned his attention to Crusher. "Doctor, you will review the specimen manifest with the medical trustee assigned to this mission. Once we are on our way, you and they will be continually monitoring the specimens for signs of growth."
Crusher nodded, "Aye, Captain."
"This mission is extremely sensitive. Please be alert and prepared for orders from Starfleet. Review the information packets that have been sent to you so that you won't be met with any surprises. As soon as we receive our orders, we must head to Aucdet IX immediately." The captain did his best to express the seriousness of what they could be entrusted to do.
Nods accompanied by murmurs of understanding rose among the crew.
"Doctor, what is the counselor's status?"
"Counselor Troi is stable but still recovering. Her recovery process is slower than expected but she's on her way," the doctor reported with a positive tone.
"Excellent, Doctor, thank you." Adressing everyone, "Dismissed."
The conference lounge cleared leaving the first officer and the captain discussing the details of their possible mission.
Troi sat upright on the bio bed sipping on some juice while nurse Cate ran a scan on her.
"Your vitals continue to improve, Counselor," the nurse informed her "but they are still significantly below your normal levels. Doctor Crusher may want to keep you here a bit longer for observation."
Troi's fingernails began tapping the cup she was holding. She did not feel well at all. She felt worn out and wanted nothing more than to just lay in bed, but not in sickbay.
"Cate," the counselor spoke in her friendliest tone, "do you think I could maybe recover in my quarters? I think I'd be able to rest better there."
The nurse thought about it for a minute. "Well, your vitals are improving steadily. If you're well enough to walk on your own, maybe Doctor Crusher will consider it."
As if on cue, the doctor stepped out of her office and walked over to the counselor.
"Feeling better, I see," Crusher observed.
"I am."
Crusher went into doctor mode and reviewed the most recent scan taken by the nurse. "Looking good...steady improvement...but still a bit slow. I'd feel more comfortable keeping you here overnight."
Troi and Cate gave each other a conspiratorial look that didn't go unnoticed by Crusher.
"What's going on?" The doctor asked, her eyes going from one woman to the other.
Cate jumped in, "Well, Doctor, we were thinking that maybe Counselor Troi will be able to get better rest, and recover quicker, if she rests in her own quarters tonight."
As Cate spoke, Crusher leaned against Troi's biobed and crossed her arms. She switched her gaze from the nurse to the counselor and held it there for a moment.
Troi could sense that the doctor was not comfortable with the idea of her being away from sickbay. Not only that, but she could also sense Crusher's reluctance to let her out of sickbay at all.
"Beverly!" Troi spoke with mild outrage, "You would keep me in here until the baby is born if it were up to you!" The counselor had interpreted the doctor's thoughts quite accurately.
"It is up to me, and, yes, I would," she said with authority.
The counselor backed down a bit, "Alright then, what's it going to take for me to get out of here?"
"I need to see strong and steady vitals, Counselor! You were a hair away from completely losing consciousness. Or don't you remember Commander Riker lifting you onto the bed because you were too passed out to do it yourself?" Crusher reminded her of the scene for added effect.
The counselor felt a bit embarrassed at the reminder. Especially because she was sure anyone in sickbay at that time would have witnessed the scene. She felt a cornered and once again tapped her fingers against the cup in her hands.
Crusher noticed Troi's frustration and softened her argument for her friend's benefit, "Deanna, I just want you to be strong enough to get around safely on your own. If you have another episode...I don't know what could happen to you or the baby." The doctor paused to let her words sink in. "From the look of your scan, I don't think you can stand up steady for more than a few seconds and that isn't good enough for me to let you be left alone, without close medical supervision." She paused again, "Does that sound unreasonable to you?"
The counselor exhaled and closed her eyes. She was not well, she had to admit, as she leaned her head back against the pillow. But all she wanted was to be in her quarters, alone, in her own bed. Away from all the noises and emotional chatter from the minds all around her. She took a calming breath and said, "It doesn't sound unreasonable at all, Beverly, but I just want you to understand that I just can't rest with so many people around me. It takes a significant amount of energy to block out other people's emotional projections, and I don't think I have that kind of energy in me right now. All I want to do is sleep, but please, let me do that in my quarters." The counselor waited as the doctor considered her words.
Crusher was silent for a moment, weighing the pros and cons of the counselor's argument.
Then, as an afterthought, Troi added, "It's also kind of noisy in here."
Crusher laughed unexpectedly, "My sickbay is noisy?" she said, amused. "But it's a sanctum of peace!" she declared with a touch of theatrical flair.
"The humming and beeping of all the machines may be music to your ears, Beverly, but to me it's just noise," the counselor explained.
Cate stood to the side just laughing.
After deciding on a course of action, Crusher gave in.
"Alright, but you'll need someone to keep watch at night," The doctor warned.
Deanna gave her a grateful smile, "Thank you, Beverly."
"You're welcome, Dee." The doctor returned the smile. "I understand you need your solitude. You just reminded me that you aren't my average patient."
"I understand your concern, and I promise I will page you if I feel anything out of the ordinary. I don't want to end up unconscious either, believe me," the counselor reassured, "I also know that you have your computer on a permanent medical link to my vital signs. It looks like you've got all your bases covered."
Crusher smiled, "Just because you put it so eloquently you get to spend the night in your quarters, but I want to see you here first thing tomorrow morning."
"Understood, Doctor." Troi returned the smile.
The doctor grabbed the tricorder from the biobed, "I go off duty in fifteen minutes. Wait for me and I'll walk you to your quarters."
"I can do that." And with the nurse's help she started getting ready to leave.
The captain's comm badge chimed in the silence of the bridge.
"Picard here," the captain acknowledged.
"Captain, a word with you and Commander Riker." Crusher's melodic voice came through the link. The doctor's wish for the conversation to be private did not need to be mentioned.
"Of course, Doctor. Let's talk in my ready room," Picard said as he stood up, followed by his first officer.
"Go ahead, Doctor," the captain said as they stepped inside.
"Counselor Troi is doing much better, but she's still not entirely out of the critical zone." The captain and the commander listened quietly, "I wanted to keep her here in sickbay overnight, but she's having none of that..."
Riker chuckled.
"...so," Crusher, having heard the commander's muffled laughter, continued with a smile in her voice, "I'm allowing her to spend the night in her quarters under the condition that someone keeps her company through the night. So, Will, I know she's comfortable with you, would you keep watch tonight? You have the emergency kit at your disposition."
"Of course, Doctor, anything you need," the commander agreed. "My shift ends in three hours. Will she be okay until then?" He asked with understandable concern.
"I'll stay with her until you arrive." Crusher reassured him.
"Perfect. I'll report to the counselor's quarters at twenty-one hundred," Riker confirmed.
"Beverly," Picard spoke before closing the communication link, "will Counselor Troi be well enough to return to her duties any time soon?"
There was silence for a moment before Crusher answered the captain's question, "I'm afraid I can't say with any certainty, Captain. Nothing about her pregnancy is predictable. If she feels well enough she will surely want to return to her duties, but I would not, under any circumstances, remove the counselor from constant close medical supervision."
Picard nodded "I had a feeling that would be the case," he acknowledged. "Very well, Doctor, as always I trust your judgment. Please, keep me informed. Picard out."
The door chime announced a visitor in Troi's quarters. Crusher snapped out of the text she had been reviewing at the computer terminal at the counselor's desk and checked the time display.
"Come in," she said knowing perfectly well who it was.
Riker stepped inside. He held an overnight bag in one hand and his data pad in the other.
"Doctor," he acknowledged, "reporting for duty," he said with a mock salute.
"I apologize for making you work extra hours, Commander." Crusher played along.
"It's a sacrifice I am willing to make for the good of the Enterprise and its crew," he added playfully.
"How noble of you," the doctor teased.
"How is she?"
"Improving. I think she'll be one hundred percent tomorrow morning if she gets a good night's sleep and eats a good breakfast." She then leaned closer to the commander and pointed her index finger at his chest, "I'm putting you in charge of that last one."
"I'll do my best." He accepted the order, but then a thought occurred, "but what about the nausea? If it returns she won't want to eat."
Crusher nodded and then pointed to the other side of the room, "The emergency cart has everything you need. Let me show you and then I'll get going. It's been a long day."
"Agreed," the commander said with a rise of his eyebrows as he followed the doctor towards the medical cart.
As soon as Crusher left the counselor's quarters, Riker tiptoed across Troi's bedroom towards the washroom for a shower. He finished quickly and changed into his shorts and t-shirt. He then tiptoed back into the bedroom and, very stealthily, climbed into bed next to Troi. He drew the covers over himself and slid an arm around her, pressing his chest against her back, snuggling as close as possible while being careful not to wake her.
Her senses we're awoken by his presence as soon as he climbed into bed with her. Riker's warmth immediately soothed Troi's senses. She felt his arm drape across her middle, and without moving or opening her eyes, she took his hand in hers. Intertwining their fingers, she brought his hand up against her chest, pressing him closer to her.
Riker gave Troi's hand a gentle squeeze and accepted her invitation to snuggle closer. As he began relaxing into sleep he heard her whisper, "Here to keep an eye on me?"
"Very close supervision," he whispered back with a smile in his voice. He snuck a gentle kiss and they drifted off to sleep in their shared warmth.